The UFC’s President Dana White has been heavily marketing the proposed ‘Fight Island’ event scheduled tentatively for June 27, which originated as an alternative to host international mixed martial arts fights. Some speculation has been made that one of the locations could be in The Bahamas due to its proximity, hotel options, and infrastructure to support such an event.
Let’s look at some islands and the clues and guess where it could be.
Private Island In The Exuma Cays
The Exuma Cays have a plethora of privately owned islands that could be perfect to safely host such events with low interaction to the general public. How amazing would an octagon be built over the water with sparkling turquoise ocean all around it? The limitation here is logistics. These islands are remote; a boat would be required to get to the islands unless private seaplanes and helicopters are used, which would make a grand entrance but a costly one. Johnny Depp’s island has been mentioned, but that has additional challenges being in the much-revered Land and Sea Park.
Kamalame Cay, Andros
Kamalame Cay is a private resort island just off the coast between the island of Andros and the third-largest barrier reef in the world. The island has accommodation a beach that could host an octagon and an airport just a stones-throw away on the mainland. While the island is independent from the mainland like the Exuma Cays, it is only a very short boat ride across the channel. Kamalame Cay, however, has built its brand on barefoot luxury. This boutique tropical villa setting is popular for private weddings and a monthly lunch event that enjoys visitors coming from all around by boat and seaplane. It is unlikely that ‘Fight Island” would be the right match for such a low-key exclusive island.
Great Exuma Island
Should we end this one right here? While Great Exuma checks a lot of the boxes as far as an international airport, hotels, and plenty of beaches to build the octagon. Let’s not forget the disastrous Fyre Festival. Promoters and The Bahamas government are likely in no rush to send a big-time international event back to the island with the wounds still fresh. Or would the tourism officials be eager to engage a reputable company to bring all its firepower and erase the memories of the past fiasco?
Albany, New Providence
Albany would make a lot of sense. A private community, full of sports celebrities with unmatched sporting facilities. Albany also has the accommodation, restaurants, and airlift to pull it off. Of all the locations mentioned here, this might be the betting man’s pick.
Grand Bahama Island
Grand Bahama was devastated by Hurricane Dorian last September. While the majority of the island was left in shambles, the commercial hub of Freeport survived mostly unscathed. A promotional event like this would bring much needed economic support and international press to the island. There are problems with damaged infrastructure and facilities on the island which may weigh too heavily on the risks of such a significant press event, which is going to rely more on the cable and online audience than a live audience.
Baha Mar, New Providence
Bahamar is the new, trendy hotel on New Providence. It has the Rosewood, Hyatt, and SLS brands, a casino, golf course, and lovely beach to host the octagon event. The problems with such a large scale hotel are the social distance requirements and whether the government and hotel officials would permit such an event to take place on the property so soon. Or, would an officially closed mega resort property be a great way to bring pre-opening attention back to its many world class amenities?
The Bahamas government has been very aggressive in attacking the spread of the virus within the islands. While tourism has suffered and this would be a much-needed boost, any event in June would be unlikely to happen in The Bahamas. Beyond that, all bets are off.
